Activities to do at home

Painting activities are something that our children always enjoy - particularly Bubble Painting.

To ready mixed paint, add washing up liquid and put into a margarine tub to about 1” deep.  Give the children a straw - as they blow into the paint it will bubble up the tub - place a piece of paper on the top and all thebubbles will burst leaving the imprint on the paper - different colours can be used. The children find this activity most fascinating - just make sure they don’t suck the straw!!

Sugar Splats

With the children, make a solution with icing sugar and water, spread this over a sheet of paper.  Drop ready mixed paint onto the paper and watch the droplet spread.

Water Tray

A different idea for the water tray. Mix together boiling water (a large bucket full) and 1/2 box of lux flakes - this should be done out of the way of the children by an adult. Leave overnight - then tip into the water tray the next morning - lovely slimy, gooey water. A great favourite with the children.  This can also be coloured using food colouring.

Mr Potato Head

You will need a pair of clean tights, sawdust and grass seeds. Cut the bottom out of one leg of the tights (about 6” up the leg). Sprinkle grass seeds in the toe of the tight, fill with sawdust and tie a knot. Turn the tight around (knot to the bottom) and shape into a head. Draw on a face with felt tips.  Sit into a mug of water - just the bottom in the water and watch him grow hair.

Playdough

2 mugs of plain flour (the cheaper the better!), 1 mug salt, 1 tblsp oil 3/4 to 1 mug warm water, food colouring. Mix everything together in a large bowl until a firm dough is made.

White Chocolate Truffles

A nice idea for the children to make as a Mother’s Day gift.

• 8 oz madeira cake
• 1 large bar of milky bar
• 1 tblsp sherry
• 1 tblsp golden syrup
• Chocolate vermicelli to coat
• Paper sweet cases

Put the cake into a bowl and crumble.  Melt white chocolate .  Add melted chocolate to cake crumbs. Add sherry and syrup and mix well until it has formed a dough ball.  Divide the mixture into small balls and roll in the vermicelli.  Place in paper sweet cases.

Forget Mothers Day - I’m going to make that now. See you later!